October 2024 Catalysts for Change: Sanitation Workers’ Grassroots Network in Karnataka K. B. Obalesh and Kanika Singh
Community gathering of sanitation workers in Tumkur district. Credit: Thamate
In Karnataka, the NGO Thamate is transforming sanitation workers from being mere advocates to becoming empowered leaders. Through the Safaikaramchari Kavalu Samiti (SKKS), a community-based network, sanitation workers have been mobilizing for their rights, demanding accountability from local authorities, and ensuring their voices are heard. This blog highlights how these sanitation workers are not only breaking down barriers but also paving the way for systemic change across the state with Thamate's support.
The 23rd of December 2023 was a typical workday for K. Anand and T.R. Shashikumar, both based in the city of Bangalore, India. As they left for work, little did they know that their lives were to be tragically cut short. They passed away due to asphyxiation, while manually cleaning a filter feed tank at a sewage treatment plant. This is just one of the many fatal incidents resulting from the hazardous and dehumanizing practice of manual scavenging in the state of Karnataka. During the period 2020-23, there were more than 90 deaths involving manual cleaning of manholes, septic tanks, and open drains.
Manual cleaning of drains in peri-urban Karnataka. Credit: Thamate
Several legal and regulatory provisions at national and state levels prohibit manual scavenging and recommend measures to support sanitation workers. However, the implementation of this has several loopholes, owing to caste-based discrimination and apathy among officials. The prevalence of manual scavenging is not officially acknowledged, despite evidence which proves otherwise. Hence, financial assistance for workers, which is mandated by government programs, is often delayed or not provided at all.
Moreover, most sanitation workers, coming from the historically marginalized Dalit community, are usually unaware of their entitlements. They also lack the confidence and support structures to raise their issues with bureaucrats, who mostly belong to the privileged castes.
The NGO Thamate has been working with sanitation workers in Karnataka since 2006. In 2009-10, Thamate helped to set up a grassroots network of sanitation workers from Tumkur district, called the Safaikaramchari Kavalu Samiti (SKKS). This acts as a community-based monitoring group led by the workers themselves, to demand accountability from the government. For instance, in cases of accidents and deaths of sanitation workers, SKKS facilitates case documentation, supports the filing of police complaints, and helps workers and their families claim timely compensation.
Expanding the grassroots network of sanitation workers
During 2022-24, Thamate received a small grant of $40,000 from the Initiative for Sanitation Workers to help them strengthen the SKSS network, and advance community-led advocacy efforts. With this support, the network expanded its reach to rural and peri-urban areas in Chitradurga, Tumkur, Bangalore Rural, and Bellary districts of Karnataka.
Thamate organized community meetings and field visits in the project locations in order to understand the challenges and priorities of sanitation workers. More than 180 local workers joined the SKKS network, with community leaders being identified from amongst them. A series of training sessions were organized for workers to familiarize themselves with the legal provisions and entitlements available to them.
Advocating for change
Thamate facilitated several district-level meetings as platforms for workers to express their concerns, and to hold officials and elected representatives to account. Participants raised issues around the formalization of employment, timely wages, safety equipment, health insurance, and educational support for children. The network prepared a memorandum of their demands, which was submitted to district officials. Detailed documentation was maintained by them of incidents of accidents and deaths of sanitation workers, which helped them in making compensation demands for their families. These workers also received free access to healthcare at government facilities.
Building community ownership and leadership
Over time, sanitation workers associated with SKSS have transitioned from being mere participants in advocacy meetings, to becoming active leaders driving change. They have developed the confidence to raise their concerns directly with local officials and some have taken the lead in organizing local community meetings and setting meeting agendas.
Building trust through strong relationships and transparency has been instrumental to this initiative. According to SKSS state convenor, K. B. Obalesh, “Learning from the community themselves, and empathizing with their pain has helped tremendously”. Moreover, Thamate motivates sanitation workers to advocate for their rights, while acknowledging the challenges they face and maintaining realistic expectations.
These efforts to expand and strengthen the sanitation workers’ grassroots network reflect the power of collective action and community-led advocacy. There is still much work to be done to help sanitation workers claim their rights and entitlements, and to completely eradicate manual scavenging. “We can’t afford to lose the momentum. There is a need for further funding support, as well as opportunities for learning from successful initiatives in other countries”, says Obalesh, with the hope of advancing long-term state-wide efforts.
This article is part of a series which highlights the learnings from sanitation workers’ mobilization and networking initiatives, supported by the Initiative for Sanitation Workers, across different countries. Read the other blogs here.
The blog is based on contributions from K. B. Obalesh, State Convenor of Safaikaramchari Kavalu Samiti, and Kanika Singh, independent consultant.